Imagine this: You’ve packed your favorite snacks, zipped your bag, and waltzed into the airport with the best intentions, only to have TSA agents unexpectedly sweep up your treats like a renowned Vegas magician.
This summer, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has quietly but firmly dropped the hammer on a surprising list of snacks, leaving travelers puzzled and, yes, a little hangry.
Social media is ablaze with viral rants and videos, but beneath the outrage lies a more profound story: the laws have not been altered at all; they’re only being enforced. What is actually transpiring behind the checkpoint curtain?
The Science Behind the Ban: Why Now?
Why the surprise crackdown? The explanation is less threatening than you might imagine. Old rules are finally being enforced. As TSA’s computed tomography (CT) scanners are widely used, they reveal the popular snacks that previously went unnoticed.
Spreadable, pourable, and gel-like foods are similar to explosives in density, potentially triggering alarms and manual bag searches. The agency’s move is less about punishing snackers and more about reducing delays and uncertainty at crowded checkpoints.
1. Peanut Butter: The Comfort Food That Crossed the Line
Peanut butter—once the hero of traveling snacks—has achieved public enemy number one status at airport security. We can’t be too surprised by this, as passengers have debated its status for decades: Is peanut butter a solid or a liquid?
In 2025, TSA put the matter to rest: if it’s spreadable and more than 3.4 ounces, it’s banned. Even the TSA’s official Reddit page jokes about their “dislike” of peanut butter, but really, it’s all about the 3-1-1 liquid and gel rule.
2. Hummus: The Dip That Dared to Dream
Hummus, the world’s favorite Mediterranean delight, has joined the ranks of the TSA’s off-limits snacks. Despite its health-conscious fandom and ‘gram-able snack packets, TSA now deems it a liquid. Even single-serve containers often exceed the allowed size.
Now, Reddit has exploded with heated debates over whether chickpeas are worth such scrutiny. Unfortunately, it’s another snack that falls under the “if it can be poured or spread, it’s off-limits” category.
3. Creamy Cheeses: Brie, We Hardly Knew Ye
Brie, Camembert, and other soft cheeses are the newest victims of the spreadable snack crackdown. Hard cheeses glide past unscathed, but the soft and spreadable receive the gel treatment.
As cheese lovers cut up infinitesimal bites to smuggle through or settle for a cheese-less flight, you have to wonder why. It turns out that it’s all about density and the potential for concealment, as TSA’s scanners can’t adequately tell the difference between cheese and other nefarious substances.
4. Yogurt: The Dramatic Dairy Snack
Yogurt, a staple among health-conscious flyers and frustrated parents, is a common casualty at TSA checkpoints. The problem isn’t the yogurt, but the container—most single-serve cups are over the strict 3.4-ounce liquid threshold.
No matter how often it has been debated on Reddit and Instagram as to what constitutes “solid” Greek yogurt, the agency’s position remains firm. If it’s spreadable and above the limit, it’s not passing security, regardless of its nutritional value.
5. Pudding: The Childhood Classic That Didn’t Quite Make the Grade
Pudding cups, the nostalgic classic, are now officially on the TSA’s naughty list. Why? Because of its creamy, gelatinous nature, which makes it a gel, most brands package it in containers larger than the 3.4-ounce limit.
The result: wailing children and irate parents at checkpoints, and a surge of viral threads on Reddit and TikTok. It’s a small item, but to many, it’s the straw that broke the camel’s back in the war against snacks.
6. Honey, We’ll See You Later
Honey, which used to be the ultimate sweet travel buddy, is now bringing unsuspecting disaster to airport security checkpoints. The TSA considers honey a liquid, so 3.4-ounce jars or smaller are allowed in your carry-on.
Anything larger, however, is confiscated immediately, no matter how artisanal or expensive the jar. Travelers are taken aback, and many tweet about their honey losses as TSA officers mercilessly enforce the rule.
7. Salsa: Adiós Chip ‘n Dip
Salsa, the chip and veggie dip of choice for everyone, didn’t make the cut either. Despite its popularity, salsa is considered a liquid or gel in the TSA’s book, meaning any jar over 3.4 ounces would be banned from carry-on bags.
Since the rule covers both homemade and pre-prepared salsas, it’s a common source of irritation at checkpoints. Thousands of travelers have had their favorite spicy snack confiscated by security, causing an onslaught of anger and indignation.
Social Media Furor vs. Security Reality: Who’s Right?
On Reddit, YouTube, and Instagram, backlash is fierce—snack prohibitions have become a meme, a joke, and a cause célèbre. Yet TSA’s social channels are working overtime to clarify, not incite.
Their Instagram, now cult-like, responds to thousands of snack-related questions weekly, using humor and honesty to defuse the tension.
But perhaps the most frustrating part of this story is that the majority of these prohibitions aren’t new; they’re only now being enforced more rigorously. At least the agency graciously meets consumers where they’re most verbal: online.
More Foods To Avoid
Beyond the foods we have already listed, there are other snacks that are unlikely to be allowed on a plane. While they are not officially on the banned list, it probably isn’t a good idea to pack them in your carry-on bag. Let’s take a look.
1. Nut Butters and Seed Spreads
Since peanut butter is already banned, other nut and seed butters, like almond or sunflower, could also face stricter enforcement. Their spreadable texture and density are very similar to items already flagged by TSA, meaning that they are likely candidates for restrictions.
2. Soft and Processed Cheeses
Brie and Camembert have already been targeted, but processed cheese spreads and even some softer blocks might be at risk, too. They are soft and spreadable, meaning that they will likely receive the gel treatment.
3. Packaged Fruit Cups and Applesauce
Many families, especially those with younger children, often pack fruit cups and squeezable applesauce pouches in their carry-on bags, but they are often liquid-heavy and exceed the 3.4-ounce limit. Families likely won’t be allowed to bring these snacks onboard and might have to rethink their snack choices.
4. Ready-to-Eat Meals with Sauces
It is also possible that pre-packaged meals with sauces, gravies, or dressings could face bans, even if solid portions are allowed. If you decide to pack yourself one of these meals, you might want to leave out the gravy.
5. International and Ethnic Dips
While hummus has already been mentioned, other dips like tzatziki, baba ganoush, and guacamole are likely also banned. Their creamy or gel-like nature and potential for being packed in large containers make them easy targets.
6. Frozen Foods and Ice Packs
While frozen foods and gel ice packs are allowed as long as they are frozen, any thawing could lead to confiscation. If these items are partially melted, slushy, or contain any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
7. Jams, Jellies, and Preserves
Jams, jellies, and preserves are considered liquids or gels under TSA’s 3-1-1 rule and are allowed in carry-on bags only if the container is 3.4 ounces or less. To avoid any hassle, you might want to avoid adding these to your carry-on, just in case.
8. Protein Shakes and Meal Replacement Drinks
Powdered protein is allowed, but pre-mixed shakes and meal replacement drinks are liquids and could face restrictions. To avoid any drama, consider packing a protein bar or protein powder that you can mix on the plane.
9. Gourmet Chocolates and Truffles
Some of the fancier chocolates and truffles often come with soft, creamy fillings that could be classified as gels. It’s best to leave these items behind. Instead, you can pack a good, solid chocolate or a packet of cookies if you want a sweet treat.
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